Blog: Film festivals

THE FIRST FILM & SHOW-BUSINESS FESTIVAL IN ITALY ENTIRELY DEDICATED TO COMEDY!

In the heart of the Italian summer, amid the charm of Puglia, and the warmth of Manduria, The Comedy Film Fest – Manduria stands out as a high-profile cinema and entertainment festival. Over three days, the festival features film previews and hilarious live shows, all centered around the theme of great Italian and international comedy, accompanied by music and entertainment.

The event calendar is divided into various areas within the Municipality of Manduria, from the beach to the countryside, from daytime entertainment activities to wine tasting in the land of "Primitivo's wine". The main event takes place in the historic centre of the City of Manduria, where a large open-air arena of 2000 seats plays the most central role.

The fusion of cinema and music is of paramount importance. With this foundation, the festival offers a program of significant musical events seamlessly integrated into the overall schedule, enriching the experience for the audience.

IT´S OPEN TO ALL

The finalist short films will make up the competitive exhibition. This will be screened in the various screening spaces scheduled for this year's edition of the 2024 Festival.

As part of the festival's decentralized activities, this finalist screening may be programmed in audiovisual and cultural events organized or co-organized by the Cinco Minutos Cinco association.

With the name Illusive Eye the optical process by which animation occurs in our brain by generating movement from the illusion produced by the rapid exposure to images in sequence is evoked. Animation offers the construction of credible universes, capable of freeing us from the limits of immediate reality.

With the coming of current communication technologies, animation has gained even more ground than it had in Film, Didactics and Videogames. Now, with the internet and the power of cell phones, mobile applications and the interconnection of devices and institutions with the network, animation has become an essential part of the language of interaction between the user and the world.

This audiovisual language has extended its discursive horizons as far as the human imagination reaches, and technically its evolution has allowed it to overcome reality by opening a fantastic vortex that provides immersive experiences and high doses of empathy as well as tons of fans of all ages and throughout the world, developing any theme with great aesthetic contributions and various levels of depth.

In honor of this abyss of creativity and as an invitation to immerse ourselves in it, this meeting space has been created for creators, scholars and amateurs. Looking to show not only its strength in the current film narrative but the presence of other types of speeches built on this means of visual expression: GIFs, memes, stickers, emoticons, headers, symbols for social networks, interface elements, banners, promotions , and any type of element generated from the illusion of an eye.

Festival de Cinema de la Terra Alta, 8th edition - In-FCTA

For more information, consult the rules contest:
www.infcta.com

The celebration of the XV Edition of the CortogeniAl Film and Short Film Festival will take place in the town of Puente Genil (Cordoba, Spain) between October 11th and October 19th of 2024.

It is welcome any person (film director, production or distribution) who has the legal control of the work or works submitted may participate.

REQUIREMENTS:

− Short films must have been produced in 2023 or 2024.

− Short films shall not last more than 20 minutes.

− Every filmmaker may submit as many works as desired.

− Productions not filmed in Spanish as main language must be submitted with Spanish subtitles for their exhibition.

− Filmmakers will be owners of the legal rights to their works and the responsible of the authorship rights of the short films.

Competitive festival of short films with a 2SLGTBIQ+ theme, produced in the 24 months prior to the event, held in the town of Sitges (Barcelona - Spain).

The Stafford Film Festival is a vibrant celebration of global storytelling, creativity, and cinematic excellence. Set in the heart of Staffordshire, the festival brings together filmmakers, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts from around the world for a unique cultural experience.

What Filmmakers Can Expect:

Grand Prize: $500 | 2nd Prize: $250

Showcasing Your Work:
Your film will be presented to an engaged audience in a professional venue, alongside a curated selection of outstanding films spanning diverse genres and perspectives.


Networking Opportunities:
Meet fellow filmmakers, industry leaders, and festival attendees during dedicated networking sessions before and after screenings. Exchange ideas, form connections, and explore potential collaborations in a friendly, supportive environment.


Interactive Q&A Sessions:
Engage with audiences during post-screening Q&A sessions, offering insights into your creative process and receiving valuable feedback directly from viewers.


Exclusive Filmmaker Interviews:
Finalists and winners will have the opportunity to participate in an exclusive online video interview or an in-person interview at the festival. These interviews will delve into their project, creative motivation, and filmmaking process, providing valuable exposure and a platform to share their journey with a wider audience.


Recognition and Awards:
Compete for prestigious awards across multiple categories, including our Grand Prize of $500 and a 2nd Prize of $250. The festival honours achievements in feature films, documentaries, shorts, animation, experimental works, and more.


Community and Culture:
Immerse yourself in the local culture and community of Staffordshire, a region steeped in history. Experience the warmth of its people and the beauty of its surroundings while sharing your art with an appreciative audience.


The Stafford Film Festival is more than an event—it’s a platform for filmmakers to share their vision, connect with a global community, and gain recognition for their creativity and hard work. Join us and let your story shine!

Centro Studi Sereno Regis presents GIVE PEACE A SCREEN, the first film competition for short films dedicated to the theme of peace and the creative solution of conflicts.

The festival is aimed at young Italian and foreign directors. Works of fiction and documentary films are eligible.

IMPORTANT: short fiction, animated and documentary films made by Italian and foreign authors which highlight the THEME OF THE FESTIVAL: the construction of Peace through the non-violent resolution of conflicts are admitted to the Competition. The denunciation of injustices and violence will be considered less central than the examples, real or fictional, of overcoming conflicts through nonviolent actions.

Only for films produced in Spain or Portugal

LAZOS es un festival de cine surgido en la zona de Montes Torozos como una iniciativa para promover y divulgar el cine de provincias, alejándose del modelo industrial centralizado en las grandes ciudades.

This artistic-cultural mediation initiative seeks to bring cinema closer to people with a physical/ mental or neuro-atypical disability. As part of this festival, several documentary films (short and medium-length films) will be broadcast in connection with the experiences of these people.

Internation Film Festival of Sao Tome and Principe.

ONLY FOR SPANISH FILMMAKERS // SOLO PARA CINEASTAS ESPAÑOLES

El Festival PSICURT está organizado por el Colegio Oficial de Psicología de Cataluña, el Ayuntamiento de Reus y el Ayuntamiento de Tarragona.

El objetivo es dar a conocer los diferentes ámbitos de la salud mental (prevención, promoción e intervención) a través del cine. Un proyecto cultural, social y de salud que permita promover la creación artística y la sensibilidad del público con la salud mental.

CineEco - International Environmental Film Festival of Serra da Estrela, organised by the Municipality of Seia, is the only festival in Portugal dedicated to the environment, which has been held uninterruptedly since 1995.

CineEco offers the public quality cinema and little-known, alternative cinematographies in relation to the traditional market. It is a festival that seeks to raise public awareness of cinema, its history and aesthetics, as well as environmental issues.

Utsav – Celebration or Festival

We have started this LGBTQ+ & Independent Film Festival for cinema lovers. This film festival will be a celebration of creativity and ideas. After a successful completion of the first edition of the festival, we are now ready for the second edition.

LGBTQ+ cinema globally as well as in India has become an important part of the film industry. OTT platforms have increased the reach of these films to a larger audience. Of course, these avenues are mostly for mainstream cinema and filmmakers. There are a lot of independent film makers who also have interesting stories to present. We hope that this festival will be a platform for these independent film makers and their wonderful stories.

Each film has various components – story, script, cinematography, editing, sound, music, acting – to name a few. In this festival, we wish to acknowledge all aspects of film making and creativity. Thus, we hope that film makers will be encouraged to submit their work to showcase any or all aspects of their creativity.

Not all film makers, particularly independent filmmakers, and students, have the luxury of large budgets and wonderful locations for filming. We appreciate these limitations and would like to provide a platform to these filmmakers. We would encourage first time filmmakers who would like to present their work to submit to the festival.

It is also important to learn from each other’s experiences. During the festival, we hope to have panel discussions with filmmakers, writers, editors, sound engineers, cinematographers, musicians, and audience as well. This healthy exchange will enrich the experience.

The first two days of festival will be for LGBTQ+ cinema, and the next two days will be for other independent films in this edition of the festival.

Come be a part of this ‘UTSAV’!

The Mirades Fest Social Film and Mental Health Festival is defined as a meeting space between cinema, social activism and critical thinking, which seeks to deepen knowledge of social rights and mental health.

Mirades Fest aims to delve into images and stories in which people with mental health problems are the true protagonists, spreading through the screens the situation of the most stigmatized and vulnerable groups.

Mirades Fest is an appointment both for film lovers, whether experts or fans, as well as for the general public, where the public and creators meet to enjoy a specially selected program with the aim of bringing them high-quality titles that are not commonly found in commercial circuits.

The programming of the Mostra is, moreover, specific to a social space, a diverse and plural space, as enriching as it is tragic; source of inspiration for artistic production, full of contradictions, challenges, clashes, hopes and a future to be defined.

Patagonia Eco Film Fest, calls filmmakers from all over the world to participate in the 9th International Environmental Film Festival of Patagonia which will take place in Puerto Madryn city, Chubut, Argentina from September 5-10, 2024.

The festival will accept documentary, fiction, animation films, about environmental issues.

Festival of fantasy and horror genre shorts, open to all types of filmmakers, whether professionals or amateurs. The festival will be held in the town of Roses (Spain), from November 13 to 16, 2025. We accept short films of the Fantastic, Horror, Animation, Gore, Freak and Trash genres.

La GEEK SHOCK CINEMA, on Sunday the 17th we will hold a marathon of short films, we are looking for underground, festival, comedy, gore and fantastic short films, fake trailers, so that the public can have fun, and shout at the screen, These short films that are selected WILL NOT ENTER THE COMPETITION, participation will be free, but we repeat, THEY WILL NOT ENTER THE COMPETITION, it will only be screened in said marathon, with a maximum of 15 minutes.

ENGLISH: SHORTS MÉXICO 20TH EDITION

CALL FOR ENTRIES – SUBMIT YOUR FILM

SHORTS MEXICO has become the largest International short film festival in Latin America. Do not miss the chance to be part of its 20th celebration.

FILM SUBMISSION REGULATIONS

SHORTS MEXICO - Mexico International Short Film Festival call for entries begins February 17th through May 31st, 2025 at 23:59 (CST) Mexico City. We are open to receive Short Films from all over the world inviting all production genres.

SHORTS MEXICO is recognized as the biggest International short film festival in Iberoamerica. An international exhibition platform specialized in short films. It promotes cinema creative expressions, diverse voices, distinctive and innovative visions, bold quality films from filmmakers from all over the world. At SHORTS MEXICO we encourage the growth and development of short films as well as the filmmakers.

The 20th Edition of SHORTS MEXICO will be held from September 1st through the 30th 2025 in Mexico City. The National Cinematheque of Mexico is the main venue of the festival, and the most prestigious cinema venue in the country. The festival amounts other important venues as CINEMEX Theaters, one of the largest cinema chains in the world, famous Vasconcelo´s Library, Centro Cultural Universitario de la UNAM, CDMX´s Cultural Centers, etc. The festival amounts over 70 venues in Mexico, and holds exhibitions in every one of the 32 States of the Mexican Republic, so the event truly occurs throughout the entire country of Mexico. Since the pandemic, SHORTS MÉXICO is presented in a hybrid format, holding virtual and televised exhibitions as well, having over 1 million spectators per edition.

Throughout the year the festival features previews, exhibitions, retrospectives and master classes. The Shorts Mexico Tour includes cities, towns and villages of Mexico, as well as exhibitions in various countries around the world. Shorts Mexico Academy, consists in master classes and conferences, an academic offer aimed at developing professionalization in various specialized areas of filmmaking. The festival will also present Shorts México Pitching Competition, Work In Progress Contest, and its Screenplay Short Film Competition, with the goal of encouraging and promoting the creation and production of quality films.

FESTIVAL SECTIONS

COMPETITIVE SECTIONS
INTERNATIONAL Competition (Live Action, Animation and Documentary)
IBEROAMERICAN Competition (Live Action, Animation and Documentary)
MEXICAN Competition (Live Action, Animation, Documentary, NeoMex)

Once your short film is registered, you are eligible to participate in all the festival sections, either competitive, showcase, or special programes.

SHORTS MEXICO’S SHOWCASE - FESTIVAL´S FAVORITES / OUT OF COMPETITION

International - Iberoamerican
- World Cinema
- Queer Shorts (LGBTTTQ+)
- Fantascorto (Fantasy, Sci-Fi and Horror)
- Ecoshorts (Environmental Conservation)
- Kids
- Indigenous Peoples
- Afro Shorts (African diaspora and culture)
- Fun Shorts (Comedy)
- Experimental
- International (Live Action, Animation, Documentary, Experimental)
- AI Shorts (Artificial Intelligence)

Mexican
- Mexican (Live Action, Documentary)
- Pueblos Indígenas y Originarios
- Infantil – Kids
- Mujeres Mexicanas en el Cine
- Queer Shorts (LGBTTTQ+)
- Afro Shorts (Cultura y Diáspora Africana)
- Fantascorto (Fantasy, Sci-Fi and Horror)
- Experimental
- Ecoshorts (conservación ambiental)
- Funshorts (Cine de Comedia)
- AI Shorts (Inteligencia Artificial)

Creative Creeds International Film Festival is an annual event that showcases films from all around the world.

The festival is open to filmmakers of all levels, and aims to provide a platform for diverse voices and perspectives to be heard.

The festival showcases a wide range of genres and styles, including narrative features, documentaries, animations,
experimental films, and music videos. The selection of films is carefully curated to highlight innovative storytelling,
artistic vision, and technical proficiency.